Bondi to Manly Walk
Stretching between Australia’s two most famous surf beaches, the Bondi to Manly Walk is an incredible coastal track taking in a roll-call of Sydney’s most famous icons, including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Botanic Garden. The 80km hike can be tackled as a multi-day hike ranging from two to seven days – but always encompassing epic harbour views, pretty swimming spots, and many historic landmarks.
Highlights
Fast facts
- Distance and time: 80km one-way, 4-7 days.
- Level: Grade 5 track (due to distance).
- Suitable for most ages and moderate fitness levels with occasional steep sections of stairs. Not suitable for prams or wheelchair users.
- Top attractions: Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
- Dogs not allowed.
> Plan your walk with the Bondi to Manly interactive map
The Spit Bridge to Manly Walk, Clontarf
In a nutshell
See the very best of Sydney along the new Bondi to Manly walk. The track passes through extraordinary natural beauty and connects the existing coastal and harbourside walking tracks between the famous surf beaches, Bondi and Manly.
The 80km track is one of only a handful of urban coastal treks in the world and takes in must-see Sydney icons Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, as well as historic sites, art galleries, museums, cafes and restaurants and 47 beaches.
The Bondi Beach section of the Bondi to Manly Walk, Bondi
It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture and heritage, with signage along the route explaining the Indigenous connections to the land. You can also see aboriginal carvings between Bondi and Watsons Bay and at Grotto Point, as well as shell middens at Cremorne Point.
The track is designed to be tackled in smaller sections, which can be completed over a number of days, either staying overnight at different hotels en route or within easy access to return to Circular Quay and the CBD each evening.
Hermitage Foreshore Track, Vaucluse
The route
Whether you do the walk over four or seven days, the route remains much the same.
Four-day itinerary (returning each evening to Circular Quay):
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Day 1: Bondi Beach to Rose Bay Wharf (includes the Hermitage Foreshore Track), 20km.
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Day 2: Rose Bay Wharf to Neutral Bay Wharf (part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to South Head walk), 20km.
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Day 3: Neutral Bay Wharf to Spit Bridge, 20km.
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Day 4: Spit Bridge to Manly Wharf via North Head Sanctuary, 20km.
Fairy Bower Pool, Manly
Five-day itinerary (staying in different hotels each night):
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Day 1: Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay Wharf, 13.4km
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Day 2: Watsons Bay to Double Bay Wharf (includes the Hermitage Foreshore Track and part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to South Head Walk), 11.4km.
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Day 3: Double Bay Wharf to Cremorne Point Wharf (includes part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to South Head walk), 18.6km.
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Day 4: Cremorne Point Wharf to Manly Wharf (includes part of the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk), 26.4km.
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Day 5: Manly Wharf to Manly Beach via North Head Sanctuary, 10.2km.
View of Sydney Harbour from Dobroyd Head, Balgowlah Heights
Seven-day itinerary (returning each evening to Circular Quay):
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Day 1: Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay Wharf, 13.4km.
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Day 2: Watsons Bay to Double Bay Wharf (includes the Hermitage Foreshore Track and part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to South Head walk), 11.4km.
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Day 3: Double Bay Wharf to Circular Quay (includes part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to South Head walk), 8.7km.
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Day 4: Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo Wharf, 14.5km.
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Day 5: Taronga Zoo Wharf to Spit Bridge, 12km.
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Day 6: Spit Bridge to Manly Wharf, 9.8km.
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Day 7: Manly Wharf to Manly Beach via North Head Sanctuary, 10.2km.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Unexpected attractions along the way
Beyond the icons such as Bondi Beach and the Sydney Opera House, there are plenty of other unexpected things to see and do along the Bondi to Manly Walk. Below are our top picks.
Top swimming spots for cooling off
Tackling the walk in the warmer months? Check out these beautiful beaches, bays and pools for a refreshing dip.
Where to eat & drink on the water
After all those hours spent walking, you will need to stop for lunch to refuel. And where better to do so than overlooking Sydney’s sparkling harbour and pretty beaches?
